Entries open for New Zealand’s leading literary fellowship

In its 31st year, the Fellowship is a national literary award offering published New Zealand writers, both here and overseas, the opportunity to focus on their craft full-time by providing an annual stipend of $20,000 and tenure at the Sargeson Centre in Auckland.

Poet Steven Toussaint, who has just completed his tenure at the centre, after being jointly awarded the 2017 Fellowship, says the experience was invaluable.

'I believe both young and more seasoned writers would find in the Fellowship a wonderful opportunity to get some serious work done,' says Toussaint.

The Fellowship provided me with four months of unmitigated attention to focus on my next collection of poems and I am happy to say I left with a finished manuscript.'

'Trying to write and publish poetry that people want to read is a challenge full stop,' says Toussaint who had his first collection of poems The Bellfounder published in 2015.

For authors, the ability to take dedicated time out and focus on their work is so often the catalyst to creating something truly remarkable, says Frank Sargeson Trust Chair Elizabeth Aitken-Rose.

'We are pleased we are able to offer writers this opportunity and it is always wonderful to see what they are able to create.'

For the first time in its history, the 2017 Fellowship was awarded to two poets. Aitken-Rose says it is excellent the Fellowship celebrates across genres and would encourage authors to consider applying, no matter their area.

Past fellows have worked in many fields including poetry, creative non-fiction, novels, plays and film scripts and Aitken-Rose says the judges are looking forward to seeing what projects the applicants will be working on.

The Fellowship has been recognising and supporting some of our greatest talents for more than 30 years, says Grimshaw & Co Partner Paul Grimshaw.

'It offers vital support to New Zealand writers to focus, uninterrupted, on their work', Grimshaw says. 'They are contributing to New Zealand’s literary landscape and we are very proud to support them.”

Grimshaw & Co are leaders in dispute resolution, with experience across all areas of civil and commercial litigation. Established in 2005, Grimshaw & Co have offices in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

About Frank Sargeson Trust

The Frank Sargeson Trust was formed in 1983 by Christine Cole Catley, Frank Sargeson’s heir and executor. The Trust aims to continue Sargeson’s lifelong generosity to writers through providing residential fellowships while preserving his house in Takapuna, Auckland, as New Zealand’s first literary museum. The first fellowship was awarded to Janet Frame in 1987. Learn more about Frank Sargeson and the Fellowship here.